Baby nursery vs. 'rooming in' is a debate for new moms

In the early 1900s, nearly all babies were born at home. As births shifted to hospitals, the nursery and "rooming in" have alternated as the more highly recommended option for mothers and newborns.

In the early 1900s, nearly all babies were born at home. As births shifted to hospitals, the nursery and "rooming in" have alternated as the more highly recommended option for mothers and newborns. (Tribune graphic)

The healthy baby nursery, once the hub of a maternity floor, is slowly being phased out as more hospitals encourage "rooming-in" or keeping the mother and her newborn together as much possible after birth. Though nurseries are still available, rooming in means the mother -- not the nurse -- is primarily responsible for taking care of the baby from the moment he or she is born.

The immediate closeness helps promote breastfeeding, but not all mothers are on board with the change in policy at some hospitals.

Some of these moms say they wanted to send their baby to the nursery to recover from the trauma of childbirth but were forced to keep the baby in the room, creating a safety issue. Others say they don't plan to breastfeed and want to get rest so they can better care for their infant when they arrive home.

Said one mother, who gave birth to a child after a C-section:"You have limited ability to get up and around, and they hand you a baby to take care of? That safety net (the hospital nursery) has to be there."